Electronic game or manual dexterity testing device

ABSTRACT

A game or manual dexterity testing device including an independent wand or tracer whereby the operator simultaneously touches a contact plate while passing the tracer over a spiral or helical conductor. Should the tracer contact the spiral conductor, a first light is illuminated, but if the tracer is completely passed over the spiral conductor without contacting the conductor and if the tracer then touches a target conductor, a second light is illuminated.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,913,909 Bissell Oct. 21, 1975 [54] ELECTRONIC GAME OR MANUAL 3,208,747 9/1965 Kavakos 273/1 E DEXTERITY TESTING DEVICE 3,488,053 1/1970 Patel 273/1 E lnventor: James D. Bissell, Lakeview Drive,

Lake Hills, Rte. 1, Pfafftown, NC.

Filed: May 17, 1974 Appl. No.: 471,025

US. Cl. 273/1 E; 35/22 Int. Cl. A61B 5/10; A61B 5/16 Field of Search 273/1 E; 35/22 R References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS DElia 273/1 E Goldfinger et al. 273/1 E Primary Examiner-Paul E. Shapiro Attorney, Agent, or FirmDonald .A. Kettlestrings [57] ABSTRACT A game or manual dexterity testing device including an independent wand or tracer whereby the operator simultaneously touches a contact plate while passing the tracer over a spiral or helical conductor. Should the tracer contact the spiral conductor, a first light is illuminated, but if the tracer is completely passed over the spiral conductor without contacting the conductor and if the tracer then touches a target conductor, a second light is illuminated.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct.21, 1975 Sheet10f2 3,913,909

US. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,913,909

l r /4z 1 WT ELECTRONIC GAME R MANUAL DEXTERITY TESTING DEVICE This invention relates to an electronic game or manual dexterity testing device and more particularly to such apparatus having an independent tracer or wand for following the path of a spiral or helical conductor.

Various types of tracing games and manual dexterity testing devices are known, but such devices utilizing electricity for their operation require an electrical wire connection between the tracing wand and a power source. Further, many of these devices employ relatively complex electronic circuitry which makes inexpensive production difficult or impossible.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an electronic game or manual dexterity testing device that utilizes no electrical wire connection between the tracing wand and the power source.

Another object is to provide such a game or testing device which is inexpensive to manufacture and reliable in operation.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

To achieve these and other objects the present invention provides an electronic game or testing device having simple and reliable circuitry and an independent tracing wand. The invention generally provides for a first conductor defining a predetermined helical path, a source of electrical energy, afirst switch in circuit with the source and the first conductor, a second conductor in circuit with the switch, a first indicator in circuit with the switch and an independent tracing wand made of electrically conductive material for following the predetermined path of the first conductor whereby the switch is closed and the first indicator is activated only when an operator of the device touches the second conductor simultaneously with the tracer contacting the first conductor.

The game or device of this invention may also include a third or target conductor, a third switch in circuit with the electrical source and with the third conductor, and a second indicator in circuit with the third switch whereby the third switch is closed and the second indicator is activated only when the operator of the device touches the second conductor simultaneously with the tracing wand contacting the third conductor.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate examples of preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of one embodiment of the invention showing the relationship between an indicator light and a switch.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a portion of the assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

With reference now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a basic embodiment of this invention. A cabinet 6 is provided having a first spiral or helical conductor 12 extending therefrom. An independent tracing wand 20 is provided and the operator of the game or device attempts to pass one of the end loops of wand 20 over conductor 12 without touching the wand to the conductor. The object is to so pass the wand over the conductor and to place the wand in contact with a target conductor 22.

A circuit diagram of one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. A source of electrical energy 10 is provided in circuit relationship with a first conductor 12 defining a predetermined path, such as a spiral or helix. A first switch 14, which may be a three terminal controlled-rectifier, is provided in circuit with first conductor 12, and a second conductor or touch plate 16 is provided in circuit with switch 14. A first indicator or light bulb 18 is also provided in circuit with switch 14, and the independent tracing conductor or tracing wand 20 is provided for following the predetermined path of first conductor 12. By independent it is meant that wand 20 is not connected by wires or other permanent conductors to any other circuit or energy supply.

The circuitry of this invention may also include a third conductor or target conductor 22 in circuit with third switch 24, each of said target conductor and said third switch switching being connected in circuit relationship with energy source 10. As with switch 14, third switch 24 may be a three terminal controlled-rectifier, and a second indicator or light bulb 26 is connected in circuit with switch 24.

A second switch may include switching element 28 or switch element 28 and a fourth switching may include switching elements 30 or 28'. That is, switching element 28' may be utilized in place of switching elements 28 and 30. Alternatively, switching element 28' may be eliminated and switching elements 28 and 30 used.

In addition, a first impedance or resistor 32 may be located between two terminals of switch 14, and a second impedance or resistance 34 may be located in circuit between two terminals of third switch 24. A third impedance or resistor 36 may be positioned in circuit between second conductor 16 and first indicator 18 for forming a divider network with second impedance 34 when tracing wand 20 is in contact with target conductor 22. Tracing wand 20 is made up of an electrically conductive material that preferably includes one or two conductive loops located at the ends of the wand.

In operation of the embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIG. 2, energy source 10 may, for example, be a 6 volt battery and light bulb 18 may be a 6 volt lamp. Switch 28-28 is normally closed and switch 14 is normally biased so as to provide an open circuit.

The object of the game is for the player or operator to center the wire of helical conductor 12 in either the large loop 20 or the small loop 20", of the tracing wand, and to work the wand from the top of the helical conductor to its base without touching the wand to the helical conductor. If the base of helical conductor 12 is reached without touching the spiral, the wand is then placed in contact with target conductor 22. This turns on second indicator or light bulb 26. If light bulb 18 is first illuminated by touching helical conductor 12 with wand 20, light bulb 26 will not light when target conductor 22 is later touched by the wand. Should the player not wish to start over each time the wand accidentally touches helical conductor 12, he simply briefly opens and then closes reset switch 28-28. This places the circuit back into its original condition so that if the wand is successfully passed over helical conductor 12 without contacting the helical conductor, light 26 will be illuminated when the wand contacts target conductor 22.

When the player or operator places the finger of one hand on second conductor or touch plate 16 and holds wand 20 in the other hand, he completes a high resistance circuit between touch plate 16 and the wand. Should the wand then touch helical conductor 12, bias will be applied through the circuit to the gate circuit of switch 14 so as to cause switch 14 to conduct. This, in turn, causes lamp 18 to be illuminated. Switch 14 will continue to conduct even though gate circuit bias is removed when wand 20 is removed from contact with helical conductor 12. Switch 14 will remain in this conducting condition until reset switch 28-28' is opened.

Should the player work wand 20 from the top to the bottom of helical conductor 12 without touching the conductor, a successful traverse of the helical conductor by the wand is indicated when the wand contacts target conductor 22. When this occurs, switch 24 will be closed and lamp 26 will be illuminated. Lamp 26 may, in turn, be extinguished by opening switching element 30 or switching element 28'.

Resistors 32 and 34 in the gate circuits of switches 14 and 24, respectively, are provided to adjust the sensitivity of switches 14 and 24 whereby a broad range of readily available switches may be used in the circuit. For example, if the three element controlled-rectifiers are SCRs with ratings of ten volts, and with a gate trigger current of 75 micro amps, resistors 32 and 34 would not be required.

The purpose of resistor 36 is to form a divider circuit to the gate of switch 24 through a resistor 34 when wand 20 is touching target conductor 22. This divider network, comprised of resistors 34 and 36, reduces the bias to the gate circuit of switch 24 so that it will not conduct if switch 14 is in conduction. For example, if switch 14 is not conducting, point 11 will be at 6 volts if supply is a 6 volt battery and if lamp 18 is a 6 volt lamp. Under these conditions the divider network will not limit the voltage or current to the gate of switch 24 to prevent its conduction. If switch 14 has been closed and is conducting, point 11 will be at 0.75 volt and the divider will limit the bias to switch 24 so as to prevent it from conducting.

An alternative embodiment of the invention may eliminate lamp 26 and its associated circuitry, including switching element 30, switch 24, resistor 34 and target conductor 22. In addition, if a single indicator or lamp is used to detect when wand touches helical conductor 12, resistor 36 may also be eliminated. Still another embodiment may replace switches 28 and 30 with single switching element 28'. A further embodiment is contemplated by this invention whereby resistor 36 is eliminated even though two indicator lamps l8 and 26 are used. This permits both lamps 18 and 26 to be illuminated at the same time so that lamp 26 would light to indicate touching by the wand to target conductor 22 even though lamp 18 is also illuminated to indicate that the wand had touched helical conductor 12.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention whereby the indicator lamps and their associated switches are incorporated into one assembly. This arrangement permits a lens cap positioned over the lamp to be depressed, and this results in an associated switch being opened.

With reference now to FIG. 3, there is shown such an assembly comprising a lamp base 38 having a lamp lens 40 positioned within the base. A filament 42 is positioned within the lamp lens and is electrically connected to electrical contact 44 and to lamp base 38. Pin contacts 46 and 46' protrude from lamp base 38, and a fourth conductor 48 is located in circuit with first switch 14, for example, and is normally in electrical connection with pin contacts 46, 46'.

A spring 50 is positioned to normallycause pin contacts 46, 46' to be in electrical connection with conductor 48, and a lens cap 52 is positioned over lamp lens 40 whereby an operator of the game or device pushes the lens cap to cause movement of pin contacts 46, 46' out of electrical connection with fourth conductor 48.

A metal base plate 54 is positioned in contact with spring 50 and a housing 56 having an appropriately formed cavity 58 is located on top of base plate 54. In addition, a three terminal controlled-rectifier, such as switch 14, is located within cavity 58 and is connected in electrical circuit with fourth conductor 48.

A more detailed view showing the relationship between pin contact 46 and fourth conductor 48 is shown in FIG. 4. As illustrated, conductor 48 is connected to electrically insulating number 60 and extends to the edge of beveled surface 62 of insulating number 60. The function of beveled surface 62 is to prevent conductor 48 from contacting base 38 of the lamp, and permits electrical connection between the lamp and conductor 48 only when pins 46 and 46' are directly in contact with conductor 48.

The assembly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be utilized with lamp-switch combination 18-28 or with lamp-switch combination 26-30, illustrated in FIG. 2. If, for example, the assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 is used to combine together lamp 18 and switch 28 in FIG. 2, metal base plate 54 would be connected directly to the negative terminal of battery 10. The circuit path in the assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 would then follow through spring 50, through contact 44, element 42, pins 46, 46, through conductor 48 to switch 14 and back to the positive terminal of battery 10. For the purpose of simplicity in illustration, battery 10 is not shown in FIG. 3.

In operation of the assembly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, pin contacts 46, 46 are normally in electrical connection with fourth conductor 48. When, however, it is desired to open switch 28, for example, the operator depresses lens cap 52 so as to move the entire lamp in a downward direction against the upward force of spring 50. This downward movement of the lamp causes pin contacts 46, 46' to be moved away from and out of electrical contact with conductor 48. This breaks or opens the circuit in the manner previously described with respect to the circuit of FIG. 2 and results in switch 14 being opened. The operator can then release pressure on lens cap 52 so that the lamp, under pressure from spring 50, will return to its normal position with pin contacts 46, 46 in contact with conductor 48.

Still another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein a horizontal spiral conductor 12' is fastened to a housing 56'. A conducting element 16', similar to element 16 in FIG. 1, is provided and performs the same function as element 16. In this embodiment, however, a single lamp 18 is provided to be illuminated when wand 20 contacts conductor 12. This embodiment also incorporates the assembly illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details shown and described, and departures may be made from such details without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.

What is claimed is:

1. A game or manual dexterity testing device having an electronic circuit, said circuit comprising:

a first conductor defining a predetermined path;

a source of electrical energy;

a first switch in circuit with said source and said first conductor;

a first impedance in circuit with said switch;

a second conductor in circuit with said switch; v

a first indicator in circuit with said switch and with said source; and

an independent tracing conductor for following said predetermined path;

said switch being closed and said indicator being activated only when an operator of the game or device touches said second conductor simultaneously with said tracing conductor contacting said first conductor while said operator is touching said tracing conductor.

2. A game or device as in claim 1 further including a second switch in circuit with said first switch whereby opening of said second switch causes opening of said first switch and deactivation of said first indicator.

3. A game or device as in claim 2 wherein said first indicator and said second switch form an integral assembly with one another whereby movement of said first indicator results in corresponding movement of said second switch.

4. A game or device as in claim 3 wherein said assembly comprises:

a lamp base;

a lamp lens positioned within said base;

a pin contact extending from said base;

a fourth conductor in circuit with said first switch and normally in electrical connection with said pin contact; and

spring means positioned for normally causing said pin contact to be in electrical connection with said forth conductor.

5. A game or device as in claim 4 further including a lens cap positioned over said lamp lens whereby an operator of the game or device pushes said lens cap to cause movement of said pin contact out of electrical connection with said fourth conductor.

6. A game or device as in claim 1 wherein said first conductor path defines a helix.

7. A game or device as in claim 1 wherein said tracing conductor includes a conductive loop.

8. A game or device as in claim 1 further including;

a third conductor;

a third switch in circuit with said source and said third conductor; and

a second impedance in circuit with said third switch;

a second indicator in circuit with said third switch and with said source;

said third switch being closed and said second indicator being activated only when the operator of the game or device touches said second conductor simultaneously with said tracing conductor contacting said third conductor.

9. A game or device as in claim 8 further including a fourth switch in circuit with said third switch whereby opening of said fourth switch causes opening of said third switch and deactivation of said second indicator.

10. A game or device as in claim 8 further including a second switch in circuit with said first and third switch switches whereby opening of said second switch causes opening of said first and third switches and deactivation of said first and second-indicators.

11. A game or device as in claim 8 wherein said first and third switches each comprise a three termimal controlled-rectifier.

12. A game or device as in claim 1 1 wherein said second impedance is in circuit between two terminals of said third switch.

13. A game or device as in claim 12 further including a third impedance in circuit between said second conductor and said first indicator for forming a divider network with said second impedance when said tracing conductor is in contact with said third conductor. 

1. A game or manual dexterity testing device having an electronic circuit, said circuit comprising: a first conductor defining a predetermined path; a source of electrical energy; a first switch in circuit with said source and said first conductor; a first impedance in circuIt with said switch; a second conductor in circuit with said switch; a first indicator in circuit with said switch and with said source; and an independent tracing conductor for following said predetermined path; said switch being closed and said indicator being activated only when an operator of the game or device touches said second conductor simultaneously with said tracing conductor contacting said first conductor while said operator is touching said tracing conductor.
 2. A game or device as in claim 1 further including a second switch in circuit with said first switch whereby opening of said second switch causes opening of said first switch and deactivation of said first indicator.
 3. A game or device as in claim 2 wherein said first indicator and said second switch form an integral assembly with one another whereby movement of said first indicator results in corresponding movement of said second switch.
 4. A game or device as in claim 3 wherein said assembly comprises: a lamp base; a lamp lens positioned within said base; a pin contact extending from said base; a fourth conductor in circuit with said first switch and normally in electrical connection with said pin contact; and spring means positioned for normally causing said pin contact to be in electrical connection with said forth conductor.
 5. A game or device as in claim 4 further including a lens cap positioned over said lamp lens whereby an operator of the game or device pushes said lens cap to cause movement of said pin contact out of electrical connection with said fourth conductor.
 6. A game or device as in claim 1 wherein said first conductor path defines a helix.
 7. A game or device as in claim 1 wherein said tracing conductor includes a conductive loop.
 8. A game or device as in claim 1 further including; a third conductor; a third switch in circuit with said source and said third conductor; and a second impedance in circuit with said third switch; a second indicator in circuit with said third switch and with said source; said third switch being closed and said second indicator being activated only when the operator of the game or device touches said second conductor simultaneously with said tracing conductor contacting said third conductor.
 9. A game or device as in claim 8 further including a fourth switch in circuit with said third switch whereby opening of said fourth switch causes opening of said third switch and deactivation of said second indicator.
 10. A game or device as in claim 8 further including a second switch in circuit with said first and third switch switches whereby opening of said second switch causes opening of said first and third switches and deactivation of said first and second indicators.
 11. A game or device as in claim 8 wherein said first and third switches each comprise a three termimal controlled-rectifier.
 12. A game or device as in claim 11 wherein said second impedance is in circuit between two terminals of said third switch.
 13. A game or device as in claim 12 further including a third impedance in circuit between said second conductor and said first indicator for forming a divider network with said second impedance when said tracing conductor is in contact with said third conductor. 